It you were anywhere near NASH over the weekend, you were sure to hear the sound of strings and horns ringing from the auditorium.

From Thursday, January 10 through Saturday, January 12, NASH hosted the 2018-19 PMEA District 1 Orchestra festival. The event brought together hundreds of students from over thirty school districts to play in a symphonic orchestra.

“District Orchestra is a wonderful opportunity to bring students from many school districts to make music together,” said Sarah Lavelle, the orchestra director at North Allegheny and host director for the PMEA festival. “Students also get to learn from an amazing conductor, who is able to help students grow musically in a short amount of time.”

North Allegheny had a large number of students participating, and many of them fared well in auditions. The top players in each section of the orchestra will be moving on to the PMEA Western Region Orchestra festival in Hollidaysburg, which takes place in late February.

“I’m tired, but playing in the orchestra has been really fun, especially with these songs,” said cellist Patrick Upton after the long rehearsal Friday evening.

After auditions Thursday evening, the group rehearsed for twelve hours on Friday and then performed a concert Saturday afternoon. The orchestra was led by guest conductor Mr. James Palmer and featured an all-American program including the works of composers Aaron Copland, Howard Hanson, and John Williams.

This marks the first in many years that North Allegheny has hosted a PMEA festival. NA is looking forward to receiving the PMEA Western Region Orchestra next year.